On the Algebra in Boole's Laws of Thought

TL;DR

This paper examines George Boole's development of logical algebra, highlighting influences from Indian logic and revealing that his work extended beyond simple propositional calculus to include deeper logical insights.

Contribution

It uncovers the influence of Indian logic on Boole's algebra and offers new interpretations of his work's broader logical significance.

Findings

Boole's algebra was influenced by Indian logic

His work extends beyond propositional calculus

Explains peculiarities in Boole's logical framework

Abstract

This article explores the ideas that went into George Boole's development of an algebra for logical inference in his book The Laws of Thought. We explore in particular his wife Mary Boole's claim that he was deeply influenced by Indian logic and argue that his work was more than a framework for processing propositions. By exploring parallels between his work and Indian logic, we are able to explain several peculiarities of this work.